Richard gasquet

KYLE EDMUND launched the British invasion of the Big Apple with the biggest win of his career.Edmund beat No 13 seed Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2 6-3 to record only the third Grand Slam victory of his life.And although world No 15 Gasquet was short on fitness and out of sorts, the young Brit played brilliantly to move into the second round of the US Open.It was another coming-of-age milestone for the British No 4.In Belgrade last month Edmund was asked to fill the massive shoes of Andy Murray, who decided he could not risk switching to clay for the Davis Cup quarter final tie against Serbia ahead of the hard-court season.Edmund’s response was to win both his singles matches and send Britain into a home semi-final against Argentina next month.Against Gasquet, he was playing for himself again but the same devastating forehand that had laid waste to the Serbs did the damage against the Frenchman.Gasquet’s preparations had been hampered by a back problem and he did not look … [Read more...] about US Open 2016: Kyle Edmund gets British invasion under way with a win against No13 seed Richard Gasquet

French tennis ace Richard Gasquet is backing his country to go on and win Euro 2016.The No7 seed at Wimbledon was speaking immediately having thumped home hero Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3, claiming France are now the favourites to win the tournament.Asked whether he was following the progress of his nation across the Channel, Gasquet replied: "Yes, of course, it's very important for all French players [at Wimbledon]... And for France."Of course, I think they have everything [it takes] to be in semi-finals."They will be the favourites."But, of course, I'm following them a lot. Every day, every time I can read something... I'm watching all matches."Of course, I think they can win the title this year. They are really close for me to winning it."However world No10 Gasquet added that the threat posed by Iceland - conquerors of England in the last-16 - should not be underplayed.The French star added: "Yeah, I think it will be tough."You know, every match is difficult. I think that's a tough … [Read more...] about Wimbledon 2016: Richard Gasquet backs France to win Euro 2016 after beating Aljaz Bedene

RICHARD GASQUET became the latest Frenchman to put a Brit to Bed.The seventh seed, 30, comfortably saw off Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-4 6-3 on Court 3.And Gasquet is the third man from his country to put out a home favourite in the opening round here, following first-day wins for Adrian Mannarino over Kyle Edmund and Nicolas Mahut against Brydan Klein.Bedene, 26, is ranked No56 in the world and is the British No2, having changed nationality from Slovenia last year.He beat Radek Stepanek in the first round here in 2015 and reached the third round of the French Open last month.But Gasquet, who was a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year, broke him twice to win the first set with relative ease.And the world No10 again broke Bedene in the fifth game of the second, before surviving a couple of scares on his own serve to take a 2-0 sets lead.Gasquet then sniffed a quick-fire win when he broke Bedene in the opening game of the third.And, despite being docked a serve for a time violation, the … [Read more...] about Wimbledon 2016: Richard Gasquet comfortably sees off Aljaz Bedene to become the third Frenchman to knock out a Brit

NOVAK DJOKOVIC apologised for scaring a ball girl as the defending champThe world No 1 admitted letting his frustrations boil over as he finally edgedDjokovic, 28, erupted despite winning the point during the sixth game on CourtThe reigning champ said: “I’m sorry. It was a very, very intense fifth set.“That was maybe one of the turning points — that game where I won that very“I just took out everything I had, not on anybody but me. I was looking at the“There was nothing towards the ball girl.“Maybe she was just afraid of my screaming there. I was pretty close to her.“Emotions are present. Always going through ups and downs.“And it’s particularly frustrating when you’re playing somebody that servesDjokovic admitted he had not slept well the night before as he had ben testedThe South African took a shock two-set lead on Monday evening and then badRain interrupted yesterday’s resumption and Djokovic must now … [Read more...] about Novak sorry for scaring ball girl

MARIA SHARAPOVA’S spectacular fall from grace is just the tip of the iceberg, for tennis and for sport.Because the anti-doping panel’s report on the former Wimbledon champion and her failed drugs test at the Australian Open makes it clear she is far from alone in using prescription medicines to enhance performance.Ben Johnson pumping himself full of steroids to win Olympic 100m gold and Lance Armstrong pimping his ride with EPO to claim seven Tour de France titles are one side of the drugs-in sport-debate.But another is the thousands of sports stars and wannabes abusing legal substances to gain an advantage that is certainly immoral, and perhaps damaging to their health.It was already known that eight per cent of athletes at the Winter Olympics in Baku in 2015, including 13 medallists, had been taking meldonium, which at that time was not a banned substance.But the Sharapova verdict revealed that tennis players gave 24 positive tests for meldonium during 2015, when its use … [Read more...] about Maria Sharapova’s stunning fall from grace is just the tip of the iceberg for tennis and sport

After the 2014 Wimbledon draw was made on Friday afternoon, tennis' top stars will be itching to get their tournaments under way. In the men's draw, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic landed in the same half. Murray beat Djokovic in 2013 to capture Britain's first Wimbledon title in 77 years. Murray, who has been seeded third, could face top-seeded Djokovic in the last four, while seven-time champion Federer, the fourth seed, is scheduled to renew his rivalry with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. In the women's draw, top seed Serena Williams, a five-time winner, and Maria Sharapova fall into the same quarter. Sharapova, who beat Williams in the 2004 final to win her first major title, opens against British wild card Samantha Murray, while Williams is up against Anna Tatashvili of Georgia. In the absence of defending champion Marion Bartoli, who retired after her victory last year, 2013 runner-up Sabine Lisicki will open play on Centre Court on Tuesday against Julia Glushko. … [Read more...] about Wimbledon draw sparks excitement

Federer, seeded second, reached his 10th final after demolishing home-favorite Murray 7-5 7-5 6-4 at Centre Court on Friday. Murray simply couldn't touch Federer's serve, and the Swiss ended the match in a quick two hours seven minutes. "It's been tough. Andy has been playing very well for the season," Federer said afterwards. "I'm unbelievably happy ... I've been serving very well for the entire tournament. I kept the pressure up - I went for my shots and was able to mix it up the way I usually do it. It all worked out very well." Clinical Djokovic In the early match, Novak Djokovic dismissed Frenchman Richard Gasquet in two hours and 20 minutes on Centre Court, winning 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4. "It was a very good performance considering the occasion," said the Serb. "Semifinals are always tough, and things could have gone his way in the first set. That was the turning point." "I have a responsibility to play well here in the cradle of tennis. It is an honor to play in the Wimbledon … [Read more...] about Instant classic Wimbledon final – commanding Federer or clinical Djokovic?

On men's quarterfinal day at Wimbledon, Roger Federer and Andy Murray booked their places in the final-four before Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka did the same in the evening. Both Federer and Murray won their respective matches against Giles Simon and Vasek Pospisil in straight sets after a number of rain delays. The start of play was haulted by the weather before Murray on Centre Court and Federer on Court 1, began the day's play in style. Federer broke Simon early to lead 3-0 in the first set, while Murray opened up a 3-1 lead against Pospisil, before the rain came again. Around 40 minutes were lost before play resumed and Federer was able to swiftly take the first set 6-3. At the same time, Murray kept his nerve and did the same, winning 6-4. Both players looked comfortable in front of an array of stars in each crowd. Prince William and wife Kate, the main attraction in the Royal Box on Centre Court. Simon broke Federer's serve - the first time the Swiss star has lost a service … [Read more...] about Wimbledon: Men’s semifinals decided

The US Open semifinals have been confirmed in both the men's and women's singles events. Roger Federer booked his place to face Stan Wawrinka last night in an outstanding display against Richard Gasquet. Five-time champion Federer showed a tennis master-class on Wednesday, strolling past Richard Gasquet to reach his 10th US Open semi-final. The 34-year-old, looking to become Flushing Meadows' oldest champion in 45 years, took just 87 minutes to beat Gasquet for the 15th time in 17 meetings, his 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 score didn't totally balance with Federer's dominance. The Swiss fired 50 winners, 16 aces and did not face a single break point on his way to victory. Federer hasn't dropped a set at the tournament thus far and has been broken just twice. But facing Wawrinka - against whom he has a clear 16-3 career winning record - who defeated him in their last meeting in straight sets in the quarter-finals on his way to the French Open title in June, has Federer aware of what can happen. "I … [Read more...] about US Open semifinals confirmed with Federer to face Wawrinka

At the end of day two, more players have stopped playing during matches because of injuries or illness during the first round of the US Open than in any round at any Grand Slam tournament in the professional era. With the temperature topping 90 degrees, a total of 12 men and women have retired - half of the top 10 seeds in the women's draw are already out. With seventh-seed Ana Ivanovic, eighth-seed Karolina Pliskova and 10th-seed Carla Suarez Navarro all eliminated on Monday, a day after third-seeded Maria Sharapova withdrew because of a leg injury, sixth-seed Lucie Safarova crashed out. The French Open runner-up had a tough first-round matchup against 37th-ranked Lesia Tsurenko and lost 6-4, 6-1 in just 65 minutes. Second-seed Simona Halep avoided an upset though, moving on in 47 minutes when Marina Erakovic retired in the second set. Halep was leading 6-2, 3-0. Petra Kvitova also advanced in the first round, needing about an hour for a 6-1, 6-1 victory over 126th-ranked Laura … [Read more...] about US Open: Temperatures a concern, Federer and Murray through